Police Bust Cult Gang Behind Port Harcourt Lawyer’s Murder, Recover Weapons

In a decisive breakthrough, the Rivers State Police Command has arrested seven members of the Deygbam Secret Cult Group in connection with the killing of prominent Port Harcourt-based lawyer, Barrister Bright Owhor, 46, who was fatally shot at his residence on Market Road, Rumuomasi, on July 6, 2025.

The Police, acting on intelligence and technical surveillance, tracked down the suspects over a painstaking ten-day operation conducted by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit. According to Command spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko, each suspect played a distinct role in the crime: from the shooter, to the armed operative, getaway driver, arms supplier, gang leader, and the handler of stolen vehicles. The accused are Prince Samuel (30), Henry Peter (24, alleged shooter and arms supplier), Daniel Godwin (25, getaway driver), Godfrey Emmanuel (a.k.a. Ibu, 30, gang leader), Promise Wikere (22, handler of stolen vehicles), Chukwu Nneji (34), and Justice Dimkpa (27).

During interrogation, all suspects reportedly confessed to murder, admitted to being members of the Deygbam secret cult group, and described withdrawing funds from the late lawyer’s bank account shortly after the attack. Police said the men also acknowledged their culpability in several recent violent confrontations between Deygbam factions BS and G12 in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.

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Exhibits recovered from the gang include four locally made pistols, seven rounds of 9mm ammunition, two live cartridges, an MTN SIM card, a Toyota Camry, and a mini bus.

Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, lauded the swift operational success, affirming that current policing efforts are part of a broader drive to dismantle cultist and criminal networks plaguing the state. He assured residents that such efforts will persist to restore public confidence in law enforcement and ensure community safety.

The suspects will be formally charged as investigations continue into their wider network and cult-related violence that has been escalating in Rivers State.